MY EXPERIENCE OF TRYING TO COLD TURKEY CITALOPRAM.

[Helpmebirmingham]

Hi Everyone.

I sent this reply to a fellow member. I just thought as I had gone in to detail I would post it as a blog as others may relate to this.

I done the same sort of thing as you. On a different drug. 'CITALOPRAM' basically it is virtually the same a 'SERTRALINE'. They are both from the SSRI family and work on the serotonin producing area of the brain.

My experience:-

I ran out of Citalopram and went a few days without it and did not see any difference. I decided to leave it a little longer. By the second week I noticed a mild change, when I moved my head it was almost if my eyes were moving slower than my head. I thought 'Hey, I can deal with that'. Anyway, as the weeks went by obviously the levels of the drug in my system were declining, I was noticing more changes but still was sticking to my guns of cold turkey in retrospect. By say month three I was really short tempered and the slightest thing would annoy me and get me all flustered etc.

I had the same experiences as you. Hot flushing, severe sweating, feeling low and irritable. I just hung on to the fact I will beat these symptoms and then go back to being me. By month five. OMG. My partner was on the verge of leaving. I was a totally mess. Basically to summarise, my anxiety had returned in with vengeance. I am still getting through the bought of anxiety.

This was from January this year. I had to go back on the Citalopram in May. That was the five months. It was a living hell. Believe me, it wrecked my sleeping pattern, I went without sleep for 5 plus days and nights at a time. Sleep has improved slightly, but still for instance. I went to bed around 12.30am this morning and took ages to fall a sleep and was awake from 4am.

So in my experience, do not take it for granted that things will be ok. I found out the hard way and it was months later. This experience has robbed me of six months of my life. Please Christine. If you really want to come of Sertraline. Do it under the close supervision of your GP.

At times and fairy recently. I have felt suicidal as a result. I have now been taking the Citalopram for about 6 weeks and I think I am on the right track again.

The phrase that sprigs to mind is 'I HAVE BEEN TO HELL AND BACK' I am still on the journey back

All my love thought and best wishes xxxx

[MerlinMartin]

hi Helpmebirmingham

I can relate to what you wrote, I think what you experienced was the classic rebound anxietym insomnia, depersonalisation etc, and a host other effects.

Im kind of in the same boat, Im shortly to start to taper of benzo's which by all accounts is hell.. but I think regardless what med, substance, ie, alchohol etc.. it's probably better to always taper off, I was actually going to put a post in similar to this.

you reminded me, Thank You...

and Way to go!... Well done for making such a bold step, and sharing your experience.. it aint easy, but it aint impossible.. and you will definately be on the other side of it all, much stronger because of the experience... Well Done!..

M

[Helpmebirmingham in reply to MerlinMartin]

Thank you Merlin.

We are all in the same boat so to speak. Only suffers of Anxiety can relate to what I am saying. Other people just think 'GET A GRIP' especially being a guy. If I think Ii can help anyone on here I will. Especially when you are one that can actually tell from experience.

That is much better than any doctor that reads it from text books. In Hein site. I am the professional/expert. Only people that have been through the situation can really give a related full in depth account

x